Islamic IRAN and the Sacred Defence.

Byline: Dr. Hamaneh Karimikia

On September 22, 1980, Iraqi armed forces under the leadership of Saddam Hussein invaded western Iran along IranIraq joint border. Iraq's Eliminated Dictator started a Total war against Iran with pre-planned decision and with objective of overthrowing newly established regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its disintegration.

Saddam Hussein wanted to seize control of the rich oil-producing Iranian border province of Khuzestan, a territory inhabited largely by ethnic Arabs. He announced beginning of aggression of his regime against Iranian territory by appearing in front of TV cameras and tearing up 1975 Algeria agreement.

Fighting was ended by a 1988 cease-fire, though the resumption of normal diplomatic relations and the withdrawal of troops did not take place until the signing of a formal peace agreement on August 16, 1990. This war which prolonged eight years (1980-1988) was the longest conventional war in the 20 th century and 2 nd longest war of century after the Vietnam War. During the imposed war, Iran had lost more than 213000 of lives and 672000 injured and 40000 war prisoners.

This unequal war was imposed on Iran, when in the atmosphere of the cold war, Iran had distanced itself from Western axis and was under great pressure from western front especially USA . Inside the country groups affiliated with west and east by propagating and internal militant clashes and terrorist operations wanted to weaken the regime. Moreover, armed forces also due to inevitable implications of revolution had not completed their reconstruction and rehabilitation process.

In order to force the Islamic Republic of Iran to submission, US made secret and explicit support to the Baath regime in all political, military and economic fields and On the other hand, Reactionary and Western states also supported Saddam Hussein...